Match package



July 24, 1956 1.. J. GARGAGLIANO MATCH PACKAGE Filed Sept. 16. 1954 F I G.

-------n -fi INVENTOR.

United States Patent MATCH PACKAGE Leonard J. Gargagliano, Stamford, Conn. Application September 16, 1954, Serial No. 456,443 Claims. (Cl. 206-44) This invention relates generally to matches and more particularly to a match package.

The general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved package of matches which is compact, which contains a relatively large number of matches of convenient size, and which permits convenient removal of each single match.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a match package which uses a minimum number of parts thereby being readily manufactured in a very simple and economical manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a match package which employs adhesive material applied to the inside of the match cover for retaining the individual matches.

A further object of the invention is to provide a match package which may be used in the conventional manner or also as a pull match package, i. e. the match being ignited automatically upon withdrawal from the package.

Another and further object of the invention is the provision of a pull match package devoid of bafiles, ignition chambers and other complicated arrangements.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a match package equipped with resilient transverse tabs which may be opened or closed and which due to their resiliency remain either in open or closed position.

One feature of the invention includes a flexible elongated sheet Which is folded between its ends to provide a U-shaped cover having two flaps. The inner surface of each flap is equipped with a transverse strip of adhesive material which serves to adhesively retain a layer of individual matches. An ignition strip is disposed near the free end of one flap.

For a better understanding of the present invention together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the match package as normally seen by the user;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, the package being in its closed position;

Figure 3 is the same view as Figure 2, but one side of the match package is shown opened for removal of a match;

Figure 4 is a top tion, and

Figure 5 is a view at the opened inside of the package to reveal the detailed construction of the match package.

Referring now to the figures, numeral 10 denotes a flexible elongated sheet which is folded in its center 11 to provide a U-shaped cover having two opposing flaps, numerals 12 and 13 respectively. The inside of each of these flaps is equipped with a comparatively narrow transverse strip 14 of adhesive material, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive resin, glue or some other suitable material. For reasons of economy the adhesive material is applied directly upon the inside of flaps 12 and 13 by means of a roller or other suitable instrument. Each adhesive view of the package in its closed posistrip is adapted to retain adhesively a row of edge to edge aligned individual matches 15, their heads being oriented toward the fold 11 and their ends being substantially flush with the free ends of the flaps. It will be observed that each match is retained individually and may be withdrawn from the package without disturbance to the remaining matches.

Each flap is equipped also with a transverse crease 16 which is near but spaced from the free end of the respective flap to define a marginal transverse tab 17. The tabs may be pivoted outwardly about their respective creases 16 in order to obtain access to the matches which normally are fully enclosed by the cover, this being clearly revealed in Figure 3 wherein one tab is depicted in its closed position and the other in its open position.

Each tab is equipped also with an ignition strip 19 which serves to ignite the match head upon striking. Although these ignition strips are shown as being applied to the inside of the tabs, it should be clearly understood that this is done only in certain instances as will be explained hereafter, and that the striking material may be applied also to the outside of the flaps, either above or below the crease 16 without departing from certain features of the present invention.

Fastening means 18, such as metallic staples, are used to secure the flaps to one another thereby enclosing the matches. By virtue of the facts that these fastening means straddle the layers of matches, that the fastening means are employed in a manner as to tightly secure both flaps together, and further by virtue of placing at least one of the clinching ends of the staples in close proximity to the crease 16, the upper portions of the flaps 12 and 13, constituting the tabs 17, assume a slight curvature with respect to one another as best seen in Figure 4. I

This curvature imparts not only rigidity but also resiliency to the tabs so as to cause the tabs to remain open when opened, or to remain closed when moved to ward the match ends as illustrated in Figure 3.

For use, one of the tabs or both tabs are opened, an individual match grasped, withdrawn, and ignited by striking the match head along the ignition strip which is provided on a suitable place of the cover. By disposing however, an ignition strip on the inside of one or both tabs, a pull match package is obtained. To make use of this particular feature, one or both tabs are opened until a match is grasped. Then, the fingers of the user are slightly compressed on opposite sides, that is, on either tab (the inside of each tab carrying an ignition strip), and as the match is pulled out of the package, the match head emerges ignited. In the event that the ignition fails because of faulty manipulation by the user, the match is not wasted but may be reinserted until the match head reaches approximately the crease 16, followed by repetition of the withdrawal. If this pull match feature is not desired, the match head may be ignited after withdrawal from the package by moving it along the length of the ignition surface of the opened tab in the conventional manner.

Since the heads of the matches which remain in the package are far removed and well protected in the enclosure, there is a high degree of safety when striking the head of the withdrawn match.

It will be apparent that the match package described above is characterized by utmost simplicity and a minimum number of individual parts. Still further, the package serves a dual purpose, that is, it may be used either as a pull match package or in a manner similar to the conventional book match package. The rigidity and resiliency imparted to the free ends of the flaps retain the match ends either in open or concealed condition.

While there have been described certain features and specific embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and field of the invention which should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A match package comprising a flexible elongated sheet folded between its ends to provide a U-shaped cover having two flaps; the inner surface of each flap equipped with a transverse strip of adhesive material; each of said strips adapted to adhesively retain a single layer of individual matches, and at least one ignition strip disposed near the free end of one of said flaps.

2. A match package comprising a flexible elongated sheet folded between its ends to provide a U -shaped cover having a centerfold andtwo opposing flaps; at least one of said flaps having near but spaced from its free end a crease to provide a marginal space defining a tab which is adapted to be pivotally moved toward and away from the other flap; the inner surfaces of said flaps equipped with a transverse strip of adhesive substance, said strip being disposed intermediate said crease and said centerfold; each of said strips adhesively retaining a single layer of individual matches which are oriented with. their heads toward said centerfold, and fastening means to hold said flaps toward one another.

3. A match package comprising a flexible elongated sheet folded between its ends to provide a U-shaped cover having a centerfold and two opposing fiaps; at least one of said flaps having near but spaced from its free end a transverse crease to provide a marginal space defining a tab which is adapted to be pivotally moved toward and away from the other flap; the inner surfaces of said flaps equipped with a transverse strip of adhesive material, said strips being disposed intermediate said crease and said centerfold; each of said strips adhesively retaining a single layer of. individual matches; an ignition strip disposed on said tab, and fastening means for tightly securing one flap to the other flap disposed directly adjacent to said tab. and straddling said layers of matches to impart resiliency to said movable tab.

4. A match package comprising a flexible elongated sheet folded between. its ends toprovide a U-shaped cover having a centerfold and two opposing flaps; each of said flaps having near but spaced from its respective free end a crease to provide a marginal transverse space defining a tab; each tab adapted to be moved about its respective crease toward and away from the opposing flap; the inner surfaces of said flaps equipped with a narrow transverse strip of adhesive material which is disposed adjacent to said creases intermediate said creases and said centerfold; each of said strips adhesively retaining a layer of edge to edge aligned individual matches which are oriented with their heads toward said centerfold and their ends substantially flush with the free ends of said flaps; fastening means for tightly securing one flap to the other flap disposed adjacent to said creases and straddling said layers of matches to impart resiliency to said tabs, and an ignition strip disposed on said tabs.

5. A match package comprising a flexible elongated sheet folded between its ends to provide a U-shaped cover having a centerfold and two opposing flaps; each of said flaps having near but spaced from its respective free end a crease to provide a marginal transverse space defining a tab; each tab adapted to be moved about its respective crease toward and away from the opposing flap; the inner surfaces of said flaps equipped with a narrow transverse strip of adhesive material which is disposed adjacentto said creases intermediate said creases and said centerfold;v each of said strips adhesively retaining a single layer: of edge to edge aligned individual matches which are oriented with their heads towardsaid centerfold and their. ends substantially flush with the free ends of said tabs; fastening means for tightly securing together said flaps disposed directly adjacent to said creases and straddling said layers of. matches to causesaid flaps to become curved with. respect to one another thereby imparting resiliency to. said tabs, and an ignition strip disposed onthe inner surface of each tab;

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

